Over the next two years, I completed a BTEC in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, gaining valuable skills and knowledge that laid the foundation for my growth as an engineer over the following years.

After completing the first year, I transitioned to a day-release schedule, spending one day a week on my studies and the rest at work. During this time, I rotated through 3-6 month placements in various departments at Sertec. This gave me exposure to different areas of the business, helped me build a broad skillset, and allowed me to establish strong relationships with colleagues across the company—connections that have only grown more valuable over time.

At the end of the two-year BTEC program, I earned a Distinction, which enabled me to enroll in the Foundation Degree program at Birmingham City University. Around this time, my responsibilities at work started increasing, so I had to step up my time management and self-discipline to meet deadlines while balancing the challenges of learning at a higher academic level. Adapting to these new demands wasn’t easy at first, but it played a big role in my development.

Completing my Foundation Degree and apprenticeship was a huge personal and professional milestone for me. By 2021, I had grown so much, both as an individual and an engineer. That October, I was honored to be shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year at the Made in the Midlands Awards, alongside six other nominees, including another Sertec apprentice, Robin Campbell. To my surprise, I won the award based on a project I worked on within the Continuous Improvement Department at Wincaster House under Chris Durrant. This recognition validated all the effort I’d put into my apprenticeship.

After completing the program, I moved into a Trainee Project Engineer role within the NPI department. I took a year off from studying to focus on settling into the role. During this time, I discovered how much I enjoyed project work. Despite having less than four months of experience, I was tasked with managing the Engineering Change department, which included daily presentations to the customer and reporting to senior leaders. This steep learning curve forced me to adapt quickly, building both confidence and capability.

After that year, I decided to resume my studies and pursue a Level 6 Bachelor’s degree to complete my academic journey. The next two years were the toughest yet—balancing full-time work with the demands of the degree. With limited time during my weekdays, I had to rely on day release hours and personal time to stay on top of deadlines. Juggling work pressures and university studies pushed me to become more resilient and efficient.

In early 2023, at 22, I was promoted to Project Manager, becoming the youngest in Sertec’s history. I took on the responsibility of managing a new EV project, which has since grown into the company’s largest-ever project. At the same time, I was finishing my Level 6 apprenticeship degree. After two intense years, I graduated in May 2024 with a 2:1 with Honors.

Looking back, the past seven years—starting as a 16-year-old apprentice in 2017—have been incredibly challenging, but equally rewarding. The apprenticeships I’ve completed have shaped me into the engineer and person I am today, and I’m excited to see what’s next on this journey.

Will Moore – Project Manager